Nature-Positive Solutions: Transforming Agrifood Systems for Resilience and Sustainability 

A series of studies reveals the concerning extent of food insecurity, soil erosion and productivity challenges in four countries where NATURE+ conducts research. Greater implementation of sustainable nature-positive activities and women’s empowerment interventions, strengthening community-based approaches, and enhancing market integration could provide multiple fixes. But these solutions require engagement with communities and multisectoral coordination by governments and implementing agencies.

The CGIAR Research Initiative on Nature-Positive Solutions (NATURE+) aims to shift agrifood systems toward more resilient and sustainable pathways,  and emphasizes sustainable agricultural practices that balance productivity with ecological stewardship. Recent quantitative data collected by the IFPRI team across Kenya, Vietnam, India, and Colombia provide a window into some of the socioeconomic, agricultural, and environmental dynamics shaping these nations’ agrifood landscapes, at the same time providing the baseline data for impact assessment in the first three countries Additionally, a workers’ survey was conducted in Kenya and Vietnam, primarily to inform research on true cost accounting of food production. In all four countries the questionnaires covered socioeconomic characteristics, agricultural practices, and labor-related information. By integrating insights from household and workers’ (in Kenya and Vietnam only) surveys, the Initiative aims to inform policies and practices that promote nature-based, equitable, and sustainable farming. 

Key Insights from Quantitative Data 

Kenya 

The survey in Kenya spanned three counties with varying socio-economic profiles. Kajiado, a predominantly pastoralist region, exhibited higher wealth levels and landholdings (almost 2 hectares) compared to Kisumu and Vihiga (0.6 and 0.4 hectares, respectively), which face land pressure and urban influences. Over 90% of households were landowners, with an average holding of about 1 hectare. Agriculture remains central to livelihoods, supplemented by diverse income sources, especially in Kisumu, where non-farm income is higher. Results point to high adoption of improved seeds (89%), underscoring progress in crop productivity, with Kajiado leading at 98%. Organic fertilizers were favored by 68% of households, particularly in Vihiga (84%).   Soil erosion affected 73% of households, highlighting the need for enhanced erosion control and sustainable land management. Nature-positive practices such as intercropping and soil erosion control (terraces and grass strips) were widely employed, especially in erosion-prone areas. 

Data also show significant disparities in asset ownership and decision-making roles, with men predominantly managing larger parcels and income-generating activities. Kisumu emerged as an outlier, with women managing a higher percentage of parcels and showing a more balanced gender ratio in decision-making. The report notes this is linked to male outmigration to cities for work. Despite widespread adoption of nature-positive practices, apiculture and cooperative farming efforts remain underutilized, with only 1% engaged in beekeeping and 18% participating in farmer groups. These findings underline the potential for tailored interventions that address land pressure, promote cooperative farming, and empower women in agriculture (more details can be found here). 

Vietnam 

Vietnam’s survey focused on two districts, Sa Pa in Lào Cai province and Mai Son in Sơn La province, revealing stark contrasts in socioeconomic conditions and agricultural strategies. Mai Son exhibited higher income levels and asset ownership, including durable goods such as vehicles and televisions. Educational attainment was notably higher in Mai Son, contrasting with Sa Pa’s reliance on staple foods and limited educational access. Households in Sa Pa managed smaller land parcels (0.4 hectares) than those in Mai Son (about 1 hectare). Soil erosion affected over half of the sample, with only a quarter of impacted households implementing erosion control measures. Despite significant adoption of improved seeds (72%), the heavy reliance on inorganic fertilizers raises concerns about long-term soil health. Mai Son’s diversified agricultural portfolio and engagement with cooperatives indicate better market integration and commercial agriculture practices. Sa Pa’s agriculture remains subsistence-oriented, whereas Mai Son benefits from better market connectivity, enabling greater crop sales and higher revenues. 

Gender-specific results point to male dominance in land ownership (83% male vs. 8% female) and decision-making. Women’s involvement in decision-making and income generation remains limited, with significant gaps in asset ownership and agricultural management. These findings highlight the importance of promoting sustainable practices, enhancing market access, and addressing gender disparities to foster equitable agricultural growth (more details can be found here). 

India 

The India survey, conducted across three districts in Maharashtra – Ahmednagar, Nandurbar, and Nashik, provided a comprehensive picture of the state of agricultural practices and the adoption of nature-positive solutions. The survey highlights significant variations in landholding sizes and agricultural productivity. Ahmednagar stands out with larger average farm sizes (1.8 hectares) and the highest household gross crop income, in stark contrast to Nandurbar and Nashik, where average farm sizes are smaller (about 0.8 hectares) and gross incomes significantly lower. Despite agriculture being the primary livelihood for nearly 90% of households, soil erosion affects 73% of the sample, with erosion rates alarmingly higher among control households (81%) compared to treated ones (65%). However, the adoption of erosion control measures remains remain dismally low at just 33 percent overall.  

Nature-positive practices such as zero tillage and intercropping show considerable site variation; for instance, zero tillage is adopted by 53% of households in Nandurbar but only by 26% in Ahmednagar. Organic fertilizer use, reported by 34% of households overall, is notably higher in Ahmednagar (58%) and significantly lower in Nandurbar (17%). Income disparities are pronounced and accompanied by gender inequalities, with female-headed households consistently reporting fewer assets, lower incomes, and smaller landholdings. Only 10% of women own land solely, compared to 80% male ownership. 

Market access for agricultural produce is limited, with only 56% of total agricultural production sold in markets and the rest consumed at home. Nandurbar shows the highest market share (63%) of produce sold, while Ahmednagar and Nashik lag at 48% and 51%, respectively. Despite high market participation for certain crops such as tomatoes (100%) and maize (96%), income from livestock sales is particularly low in Nandurbar, where only 50% of households engage in livestock markets. The survey highlights the need for targeted interventions to address these pressing challenges facing Indian agriculture. Expanding the adoption of nature-positive practices (such as intercropping, agroforestry, and improved soil management techniques), empowering women through targeted interventions, improving market access, and developing viable business models for smallholder farmers are critical areas for action moving forward. 

Colombia 

The monitoring survey conducted as part of NATURE+ in Colombia focused on two distinct agroecological zones: the highlands of Nariño and the lowlands of Putumayo. The study reveals significant socio-economic and agricultural contrasts between these sites. 

Nariño, with its predominantly indigenous population, exhibits lower educational attainment with only 17% of household heads completing secondary education (compared to 30% in Putumayo) and 3% achieving tertiary education (17% in Putumayo). Female-headed households are more common in Nariño (26% vs. 17% in Putumayo), and it has a lower dependency ratio (0.12 as opposed to 0.24). Nariño leads in vehicle ownership (88%), whereas Putumayo has greater smartphone ownership (87%). Agricultural incomes are higher in Putumayo (about US$1,500) than in Nariño (about US$480). 

Food security also differs significantly. Nariño has a more diverse diet (9.4 out of 12 food groups), while Putumayo faces greater food insecurity and a less varied diet (with 8.5 food groups). Households in Putumayo report lower food access, unhealthy diets, insufficient food quantity, and reduced portions. Nariño’s reliance on chagras (local home gardens) provides a diverse range of nutrient-rich foods, contributing to better food security. 

Agricultural practices vary greatly. Households in Nariño report smaller farm size (about 1 hectare) with diversified chagras for traditional Andean crops. Putumayo has larger landholdings (about 11 hectares) for agroforestry with crops like cacao, cassava, and peach palm. Soil erosion is more prevalent in Putumayo (28%), although in Nariño households show a higher prevalence of adoption of erosion control measures. Native seeds are widely used in both regions. For perennial crops, the use of native or traditional seeds is common (83%) in both regions. This ratio is higher in Putumayo (94%) than in Nariño (80%), indicating a strong preference for traditional varieties. However, the share of households reporting improved seeds use is significantly higher in Putumayo (89%) compared to Nariño (34%). This difference is attributed to the types of crops prevalent in each region. The use of native seeds for annual crops remains high, at about 92% (99% in Nariño and 60% in Putumayo,). This difference underscores the cultural and ecological importance of traditional varieties in Nariño. 

NATURE+Nature-positive  related practices are widely implemented in both regions, especially soil management and conservation of native crops and tree varieties. However, while household households in Putumayo exhibit higher adoption rates of sustainable practices, those in Nariño have been adopting these practices longer.  

Gender roles in agricultural activities are also different, with women predominantly leading promotional and recycling tasks and men focusing on technical and agricultural work. Joint decision-making remains common across most activities. 

While Nariño demonstrates strengths in traditional agricultural practices and higher dietary diversity, Putumayo excels in market-oriented production and sustainable land-use practices. Both regions face challenges, including limited crop productivity and access to marketsmarket access, requiring tailored interventions. 

Pathways to Nature-Positive Solutions 

CGIAR research with local partners has the potential to address these challenges through a multifaceted approach aimed at: 

-promoting sustainable practices through encouraging the adoption of agroforestry, crop diversification, and climate-smart techniques to boost yields and resilience and enhancing water management strategies to mitigate the impact of droughts and other climate-related shocks; 

-empowering women through increasing women’s access to productive assets, decision-making roles, and training in sustainable agriculture, and leveraging progressive gender dynamics as a model for fostering equity; 

-strengthening community-based approaches through establishing community seed banks, farm cooperatives, and knowledge-sharing platforms to promote collective resilience, and supporting the creation of farmers’ cooperatives to improve market access and scale up sustainable practices; 

-enhancing market integration through addressing infrastructure gaps to facilitate market integration, particularly in areas like Sa Pa (Viet Nam) with limited commercial exchange, and promoting value chain development to link farmers with markets and enhance economic opportunities. 

Research by NATURE+ and its partners offers a transformative opportunity to realign agrifood systems with sustainability goals. By integrating socioeconomic, environmental, and gender elements, the research can catalyze resilient and equitable farming systems. The diverse findings from and within the four countries underscore the importance of localized, context-specific interventions that address the unique challenges and opportunities in each region. As the initiative advances and transforms into the 2025-2030 CGIAR Multifunctional Landscape Science Program, fostering collaboration among stakeholders will be critical to achieving its vision of sustainable, inclusive, and nature-positive agriculture.